mid-division, ridden after 10th, weakened next
disputed lead until headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, led 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, slightly hampered last, kept on
mid-division when pulled up after 3rd
in touch, not fluent 2nd, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
soon tracking leader, led approaching 2 out, went left last, wandered under strong pressure, all out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, hit last
held up behind, headway after 10th, ridden after 2 out, every chance soon after last, faded final 50 yards
always towards rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
disputed lead until 10th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
held up behind, headway after 10th, ridden to chase winner last, every chance when slightly hampered run-in, kept on
Nonrunner
Stars Delight has the ability to go well here and is given the vote over Jug Of Punch and Thenford Star. The selection has never really been well treated throughout his career but does win in his turn. He is relatively lightly raced considering his age and ran well when catching the eye in third place at Huntingdon last time out. If he is able to get his own way he ought to prove himself better than his rivals. Jug Of Punch carries a seven pound penalty for being a shock winner of a handicap at Cheltenham last time out. Odd results can happen like that at the back end of the jumps season as fancies horses can be off the boil and coming to the end of a hard season. However connections have done the right thing to run with a penalty as he will be going up a fair few pounds as of next week and therefore has to warrant respect. Thenford Star comes from a top yard in form but has not been seen for nearly eighteen months now. His trainer can ready them first time of asking so any market support should be noted. But for the winner we return to Stars Delight.
Stars Delight (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, headway next, kept on well, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Blaze Ahead (11-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
The Speaker (FR) 9-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place after 9th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Stolen Moments (10-7) at Towcester 2m 6f nov chs (4) gd.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, stayed on gamely from last, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd beating Poker De Sivola (11-1) by 4l, 13 ran.
River Reine (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway 5th, challenged 8th, led after 3 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Go West (11-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Read All About It (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake 9th, mistake 10th, weakening when mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Radnor Lad (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Thenford Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) In touch, hit 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 11, 13l behind Blaze Ahead (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Fairlight Shadow (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, reminders after 5th, some headway under pressure 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 17l behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Ockley Flyer 33-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, effort 7th, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 36l behind Kings Rock (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Le Forezien (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Always behind, no impression, 13th of 15, well behind Green Prospect (11-12) at Wincanton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Job One (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Hora (9-9) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd.
Baker's Girl (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Benedict Bay (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Colwyn Bay (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden after 4 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Ruling Reef (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Ladino (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling, 8th of 11, 31l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov '06.
